Jobless Claims Signal Improving Market
The U.S. Department of Labor reported jobless claims ending the week of January 31, 2015 were 278,000, an increase from the previous week, but fewer than were expected to file.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported jobless claims ending the week of January 31, 2015 were 278,000, an increase from the previous week, but fewer than were expected to file.
In the week ending January 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 265,000, the lowest level for initial claims since April 15,
Jobless claims increased by 19,000 in the week ending January 10, according to a U.S. Labor Department report. Bloomberg reported the increase was due to companies letting go of seasonal employees.
U.S. jobless claims were 290,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous unrevised level of 278,000, an unexpected rise following October numbers, which reached a 14-year low.
The U.S. Labor Department reported the four-week average of jobless claims fell to 281,000 in the period ended October 25, the lowest since May 2000.
In the week ending October 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 287,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week’s revised level, the U.S. Department of Labor reported.
In the week ending September 13, 2014, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 280,000, a decrease of 36,000 from the previous week’s revised level, the U.S. Department of Labor reported.
In the week ending July 19, 2014, the advance figure for jobless claims was 284,000, the lowest level for initial claims since February 18, 2006 when they were 283,000, the U.S. Department of Labor reported.
According to a recent report from the Labor Department, the four-week moving average for initial unemployment insurance claims was 2,571,250, the lowest level for this average since October 27, 2007.
Bloomberg reported the number of Americans filing for unemployment insurance hovered last week near the lowest level in almost seven years, and consumer confidence improves, showing the world’s largest economy is speeding up.